LAUSR

The Children's Division Board is proud to celebrateNational Farm to School Month, a time to acknowledge the connections children make to fresh and healthy food all over the country. In 2010, Congress designated October as National Farm to School Month. This demonstrates the importance that farm to school programs have in improving child nutrition, supporting local economics, and educating children about where their food comes from. The National Farm to School Network identifies farm to school activities through 3 core elements: changes made to school food procurement practices, school garden development, and education practices at schools and in early care education settings. Often farm to school implementation differs by location but always includes 1 or more of these core elements. Farm to school programs are held in high regard for their preliminary findings that encourage young children to engage with their food and environment. Through continued research and data analysis the results of these connections can be summarized through tools like the USDA Farm to School Census in addition to the Farm to School at USDA 2012-2015: Review of Four Years. The last 5 years, in particular, have shown great strides in this work and promise a great return on the investments made by the National Farm to School Network and the USDA Food and Nutrition Services Community Food System Division. It is important to acknowledge this season, the shoulders on which this work rests, and the community stewards that make up the heart of farm to school programs. To all of our farmers, ranchers, dairyman and fisherman—big and small—who supply our daily needs through their hard work. Thank you. This honor extends to all segments of agriculture, which also include our processors, shippers, distributors, and other businesses that keep our food system safe and viable. Farm to school programming has the potential to change the way businesses are run, the perspectives children have on developing healthy habits, and what careers they will aspire toward down the road. Happy National Farm to School Month! Feel free to contact me at Ashley. [email protected] if you have any comments or suggestions for the Children's Division.